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Engineering Plastic Shapes Trade Names

 

Engineering Plastics Trade Names – The Searchable Guide

Trade Names for engineering plastics have been created by pretty much every manufacturer. While these trade names can be helpful because you know exactly who’s material you are getting, they can also be confusing.
Take Acetal for example. In our research we found 20 different names for acetal plastic shapes. Some of these names are for acetal homopolymers, some for copolymers and some are filled while others are unfilled.

Manufacturers often state that their specific material has a feature or characteristic that varies from other manufacturers. This might
be due to a process or particular version of resin they use in producing their plastic, among other things. For these reasons engineers and designers who have tested and researched might also specify a specific trade name or engineering plastic for their application. They are trusting this particular plastic to perform as they have planned for in their design and testing and use of the same type of material by a different manufacture may cause inconsistent results and lead to reduced part life or even failure.

To help all of us out with this huge list of names, we decided why not create a searchable table we can all refer to when we need to figure out exactly which engineering plastic goes by which name.

We consider this a living document so we will go back and update from time to time as we learn more trade names for engineering plastics. If you would like to download one to hang up next to your desk, we have also created a pdf you can download. Full disclosure – this is a 4 page document but it groups the engineering plastic trade names under the type of material and its color coded so it’s pretty easy to search quickly.

Engineering Plastics Trade Names – The Printable Guide

Common Engineering Plastic Trade Names 
ABS
ENSIDUR
LUSTRAN®BASF SAN Resin with ABS
ROYALITE®High Impact, Fire Rated
SPECTRUM®
Acetal
Acetron®Copolymer
Tecaform®Copolymer
Acetron GPUltraform Low Porosity Acetal
Acetron NSLubricant Filled
Celcon®Copolymer
Delrin®Homopolymer
Delrin® AFPTFE / Teflon Filled
HPV 13PTFE / Teflon Filled
Tecaform HPV 13PTFE-Filled
POMALUX®Copolymer
POMALUX® SDStatic Dissipative
POMALUX® SD-AAnti-Static, Copolymer Non-carbon alloy
POMALUX® CN-PCoductive Polypropylene Carbon Powder Filled
SEMITRON® ESD 225Static Dissipative
Tecaform® SDStatic Dissipative
SUSTARIN®Extruded
SUSTARIN® HUltraform Low Porosity Acetal
TURCITE® ATeflon Filled, turquoise color
TURCITE® XTeflon Filled, red color
Celcon® M25Medical Grade
Acrylic Sheet
Acriglas®Cast
Acrylite®
Acrylite ARAbrasive Resistant
Acrylite FFContinuously Manufactured
Acrylite GPCell Cast
AcrysteelCell Cast Medium Impact
Optix®
Chemcast®Cell cast
Crylex®High Impact
Deglas®Extruded
Duraplex ®High Impact
EXCELON®Tubes, Rods, Profiles
IMPLEX®High Impact
KYDEX®Extruded PVC/Acrylic Alloy
Lucite® LCast
Lucite® S-A-RCoated Cast
METACRIL®Cast
PARAGLAS®Cast
PERSPEX®
PLEXI-VIEW®Cast and Extruded Mirror
TK-ACMirror, Aircraft Grade
PLEXIGLASS®Cell Cast
POLY 76®Aerospace Qualified MIL-P-8184
POLY 84®Aerospace Qualified MIL-P-8184
POLY II®Aerospace Qualified MIL-P-8184
POLYCAST®Cell Cast
REPLEX®Mirror
SOLACRYL®Clear sheet for tanning shields
ECTFE (Ethylene-Chlorotrifluoroethylene)
HALAR®
Nylon 6/6
Celanese®
Elastalon®Rubber Modified
Tecamid® STSuper Tough
Tecast®
Tecast® 6PALOil Filled
HYDLAR® ZKevlar / Nylon 6/6
HYDLAR® ZMKevlar / Nylon 6/6
HYDLAR® ZTKevlar / PTFE / Nylon 6/6
MC901Heat Stabilized Light Blue
MC907Unfilled FDA, Natural
MINLONMineral / Glass Reinforced
MONOCAST®
NYCAST®
NYCAST XHAHeat Stabilized
NYCAST/612 VSCast Nylon 612
NYLOILOil Impregnated
Tecamid® MDS
Tecast 6PAMMD Filler
NYLATRON® GSMMD Filler
NYLATRON® GSM BlueMD Filler and Oil, Dark Blue
NYLATRON® NSExtruded with Fillers
Tecamid®Extruded with Fillers
STANYL®
SUSTAMID® 12Extruded Nylon 12
SUSTAMID® 6Cast Nylon 6
SUSTAMID® 6/6Extruded Nylon 6/6
Tecamid® 6/6
ZYTEL® STSuper Tough
PAI
Torlon®
Duratron®
PBI
Celazole®
PEEK
Tecapeek®
KETRON®
Sustapeek®
DuraPeek®
PETG
Vivak®
ULTROS®
Spectar®
PET Polyethylene
TECAPET®/1400®FDA
TECAPET®FDA
SUSTODUR®Extruded PETP
ULTRA ETHYLUX®High Density
Ertalyte®PET-P
Phenolic
Bakelite
LAMITEX
PHENOLAB®Canvas and Linen Phenolics
PHENOLITE®
PHENOLKRAFTPaper Phenolics and Laminates
Polycarbonate
Makrolon®
Tecanet®
Calibre®
Cyrolon® ARAbrasion Resistant
Cryolon® ZX
Decarglas®Extruded
Palsun®
TECANET® GF2020% Glass Filled
EXCEL®
EXCELON® PCTube
HYDEX® 4301
HYDEX® 4320 BKBlack 20% Graphite Filled
LEXAN®
LEXGARD®Polycarbonate Composite
Makrolon® ARAbrasion Resistant
MARGARD®
POLY MIRMirror
POLYGAL®Structured Sheet
SUSTONAT®Extruded
Tecanat®
TUFFAK®
TUFFAK® A
TUFFAK® CM
TUFFAK® XLWeatherable
ZELUX®
ZELUX® SD-PV0Static Dissipative, Carbon Powder Filled
Trizod®
Polyester
HYDEX® 4101PBT Polybutylene Terephthalate
HYDEX® 4101LPBT Polybutylene Terephthalate Lubricant Filled
Polyethylene
HITECH®High Density
ALPOLIC®Polyethylene Core with Aluminum Reflective Surface
POLYSTONE®UHMW Polyethylene
SANALITE®Cutting Board Stock
SANATEC®
Tecapet®
Ertalyte®
Sustadur®
Polyimide (PI)
Duratron
Duratron 15015% Graphite Filled
Duratron 40040% Graphite Filled
Duratron HPhigh Purity Grade
Meldin®
Meldin 702115% Graphite Filled
Meldin 702240% Graphite Filled
Meldin® 7001Unfilled
Meldin® 721115% Graphite Filled / 10% PTFE
SINTIMID VVarious additives
SINTIMID® TPolyimide-imide
Tecator®Polyimide-imide
SINTIMID® VPolyimide-imide
Tecator® TI5013Polyimide-imide Solvay Resin
Tecator® TI5031Polyimide-imide, PAI Bearing Grade
Tecator® XP142TPolyimide-imide (PAI) 30% Glass Filled
Torlon®Polyimide-imide (PAI) Solvay Resin
Tecator®Polyimide-imide Solvay Resin
DuPont™ Vespel®DuPont
DuPont™ Vespel® SP-1Unfilled
DuPont™ Vespel® SP-2115% Graphite Filled
DuPont™ Vespel® SP-21115% Graphite Filled, 10% Teflon Filled
DuPont™ Vespel® SP-2240% Graphite Filled
DuPont™ Vespel® SP-315% Molybdenum Disulfide Filled
PPS (Polyphenylene Sulfide)
Tecatron®
Techtron®
Tecatron® GF40Glass Filled
Tecatron® PVXBearing Grade
Techron®
Sustaron®
Polypropylene
Tecafine®FDA, USDA
Proteus®
FORTILENE®
PROPYLUX® SD-AStatic Dissipative, Non-Carbon Alloy
PROPYLUX®
PROPYLUX® CN-FConductive Carbon Fiber Filled
PROPYLUX® CN-PConductive Carbon Powder Filled
PROTEC®
PROTEC® FR CP6Flame retardant, UL 94-VO/UL94-5VA
PROTEUS®
SOLIDUR®UHMW / Polypropylene
SPECTUM®
Tecafine®
VESCOLENE®
Polystone® P
Polyurethane
HYDEX®
HYDEX® 202Extruded Clear
HYDEX® 302Extruded Opaque
PLANTHANE®
PTFE
Flourosint
Teflon®
SEMITRON® ESD 500Static Dissipative
PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride)
Tecaflon®
KYNAR®
KYTEC®
PUR-FLO®High Purity Pipe, Valves, Fittings
PVDF CN-FConductive Kynar, Carbon Fiber Filled
SOLEF®PVDF / Fluoropolymer
SUSTATEC®Extruded
SYMALIT®
Teceflon®
Polystone®
Rigid PVC & CPVC
Boltaron®
Celtec®Expanded PVC
Clear-40Clear schedule 40 PVC Pipe
Corzan®CPVC
EXCELON R-2000Tube
EXCELON R-4000Schedule 40 Tube
KYDEX®Extruded PVC/Acrylic Alloy
Rulon
Tekslide®
J-Lon®
Sulfone
Tecason® SPolysulfone
RADEL APolyethersulfone
RADEL RPolyphenylsulfone
Thermalux®
ULTRASON® S
HYDEX 6201Polysulfone
UHMW
Ceram-PShatter-resistant ceramic alternative
Cleanstat®
TIVAR® UHMW-PEAnti-Static FDA
TIVAR® 1000
TIVAR® 88
TIVAR® Dryslide
TIVAR® ESD / EC / CleanStat
TIVAR® UV Resistant
TIVAR® Oil Filled
TIVAR® Ceram P®
TIVAR® H.O.T.
TIVAR® DockGuard
TIVAR® PolySteel
DURAVAR®UHMW-PE
GAR-DUR®UHMW-PE
IMPAX®
LENNITE®
LENNITE CN-PConductive, Carbon Powder Filled
PENNLON®
POLYSLICK®
POLYSTEEL®Filled sheet for paper industry
POLYSTONE®UHMW Polyethylene
RAMEX®
SOLIDUR®UHMW / Polypropylene
ULTRA POLY ARCross-linked
ULTRA POLY ARSCross-linked lubricant filled
ULTRA POLY MPReprocessed
ULTRA POLY NNatural Virgin Grade
ULTRA-WEAR
ULTRATEC®
Ultem
SEMITRON® ESD 410Static Dissipative
Hydel PEI-7
Duratron® PEI
SustaPEI

 

Another great place to research plastics for machining, whether its replacing a traditional metal or finding that just right set of characteristics for a particular application is one at our catalog www.onlineplastics.com or call us toll free at 877.246.7700. tkEP has a dedicated staff of plastics professionals that can assist you with material selection.

 

Stress Relieving of Engineering Plastics

Stress relieving of engineering plastics, also known as annealing, can play an important role in the quality of machinable plastics and machined plastic parts. Many of the high quality materials including engineering plastics and high performance materials are run through a specific annealing process by the manufacturer to reduce internal stress in their plastic shapes that occurs naturally through the extrusion or molding process. Stress relieving of engineering plastics helps to provide machinists and fabricators with the best possible dimensional stability and ease of machining and fabricating.

What Causes Stress in Engineering Plastics?

The above photo shows the affect of stress from the manufacturing process.

Plastic rod that has not been stress relieved cut through the centerline

Plastics that are formed through extrusion into stock plastic shapes are pressed or pushed through a profile die to create the shape. The stress that is introduced into the material during extrusion is not relieved in this part of the process because the plastic resin sets up as soon as it comes out of the extruder. Instead the stress remains in the plastic. The tell tail signs of stress in plastics are:

  • Warping and distortion
  • Reduced physical properties
  • Cracking
  • Changes in finished part dimensions

However, plastics machinists can also do annealing as part of their machining process. Depending on the particular plastic material, a specific cycle of heating and cooling the plastic shape or the machined plastic part is done by using an annealing oven that allows for precise temperature and timing control.  When this process is done properly it can enhance the lifespan of machined plastic parts. The image to the right is an example of a stock shape that has not had any stress relieving (annealing) performed on it and what happens when it is cut down the centerline.

Machining Practices that can help Reduce Stress Build-Up

Internal Stress caused by machining a plastic shape into a part can also be an issue. It can harm the integrity of a part and lead to premature part failure and reduced performance of plastic parts. The best guide on this is the manufacturer instructions and guides for the type of material you are machining. For example acetal performs very differently from nylon etc. But there are a few general causes of stress created during the machining process that you can be on the lookout for:

  1. Be sure your tools are sharp, razor sharp
  2. Make sure the tool is designed for the job. Make sure it is the right angle, size type of material
  3. Watch feed and speed rates to ensure you aren’t allowing excessive heat to build up
  4. Coolants can be used, but be aware of how a coolant may affect a specific type of plastic. If you cannot use a liquid coolant, air cooling might be an option
  5. If you have highly critical dimensions your part must meet. Consider machining these final dimensions with a light cutting after annealing a rough shape
  6. Are you balancing? If machining multiple sides try to plan on balancing the machining of each side to be as equal as possible. Balancing the machining can help to prevent centerline warping

Annealing plastics can directly affect the quality of your finished plastic parts. You can optimize the integrity and dimensional stability of your machined plastics and reduce the potential expansion and/or shrinkage of the plastic. If and when you do an annealing process there are a couple of things to keep in mind for that as well:

  1. Do you have very thin or thick sections? This can alter the heating and holding time needed
  2. Fixture parts in the annealing oven to help prevent distortion
  3. Rod reacts in a radial fashion while sheet most often has curling or flatness issues
  4. Polycarbonate and polysulfone are very sensitive to stress cracking
  5. Do you have screw threads? The stress from the screw partnered with machining stress can add up to shortened part life. Reducing the stress from machining can help boost part life by eliminating the machining stress

Which Engineering Plastics can Benefit the Most From an Annealing Process?

While some plastics may not need stress relieving there are a few engineering plastics that nearly always benefit from a post-machining annealing process. These include:

  • Ultem®
  • PEI
  • Torlon®
  • PAI
  • Transparent materials post-machining annealing can help reduce or minimize stress crazing

Whether or not you opt to stress-relieve an engineering plastic involves any number of factors and a talk with your plastics expert at your distributor or manufacturer can go a long way in helping you to make the best from your engineering plastics.

To learn more about engineering plastics and engineered plastics solutions visit our online catalog at onlineplastics.com

For questions about engineering plastics or how to work with them please contact us.

 

Covestro News – Makrolon® SK Meets Miami-Dade Building Code

Covestro, a strategic supplier to thyssenkrupp Engineered Plastics and a leading manufacturer of polycarbonate materials has announced that they received certification listings for their Makrolon® SK polycarbonate per the International Building Code (IBC) and Miami-Dade regulations. Miami-Dade is known for having one of the most stringent building codes in the nation. Materials meeting this code must undergo a series of tests to ensure the material can withstand the strong hurricane force winds and debris that come with those storms.

Makrolon® SK Skylight made from Makrolon SK

In a statement from Covestro, the manufacturer of Makrolon®, they stated, ICC-ES Report 2728 evaluated Makrolon SK’s material specifications against 2006, 2009 and 2012 building codes. Specifically, Makrolon® SK light transmission, surface burning characteristics and durability properties were assessed for code compliance.
Miami-Dade NOA 16.0124.01 states Makrolon® SK complies with the stringent requirements of the Florida Building Code including high velocity hurricane zone.
Note: this is a component approval and does not include an evaluation of structural performance in a system. 
Covestro has more details published on their site. For more details of regulatory compliance of Covestro products, please visit:  http://www.sheets.covestro.com/en/Technologies/Americas/Agency-and-Compliance.aspx or contact Tech Service at sfdinfo@covestro.com
Makrolon® SK sheet is optimized to diffuse and distribute light while maintaining high light transmission, making it the material of choice for daylighting applications by architects and building professionals everywhere. Makrolon® SK is available with a UV enhanced cap layer in both clear prismatic as well as HD smooth and prismatic.
Makrolon® SK can be drape formed or thermoformed for use in contoured applications such as domed skylights. In either flat or contoured geometries, it has higher impact resistance compared to acrylic or glass. Makrolon® SK has a Limited Product Warranty against breakage, yellowing, and loss of light transmission. The terms of the warranty are available upon request.
thyssenkrupp Engineered Plastics is a stocking distributor of Makrolon® and other Covestro polycarbonate materials. With 11 branches in the US tkEP is able to provide Makrolon® materials and other engineering plastics efficiently to your location. We can also provide services including custom cutting and more. For information or to request a quote visit our online catalog at: onlineplastics.com or contact the tkEP branch nearest you by calling 877.246.7700.

Differentiating Nylon Types

Among machinable plastics nylon is one of the oldest machinable plastics and one of the most widely used machinable plastics. Since it’s earliest days in the 1930’s nylon has found it’s way into virtually every industry. But there are different types of nylon so how, or why does it matter which one?

Properties of Nylon Materials

Nylon types or grades have varying properties so it can be important to look at what the differences are between each nylon material and to test it for your application before going into part production. Nylon 6 and 6/6 are the two most common grades, but there are filled versions of those and other grades including 6/4, and 12. The number refers to the number of methyl groups on each side of the nitrogen atoms (the amide groups). Nylon can also be known by its true name – polyamide.

The Nature of Nylon

Nylon falls onto the Crystalline side of the plastics pyramid. In general plastics that fall into the Crystalline side are:plastics-triangle-nylon

  • High Wear Resistance
  • Good Heat Resistance
  • Excellent Chemical Resistance
  • Easy to Machine
  • Noise Dampening
  • Filled Version Available to Enhance Properties*

This last point comes with a but wait!*…. Does this mean nylon is ONLY good in dry environments. No, there are a number of factors like fillers and the type of nylon. Some types of nylon do not have a high rate of moisture absorption, like Nylon 6/12 which is designed specifically to have a very low moisture absorption rate. But this comes with trade offs so comparing all the properties and asking yourself ‘what must this material do’ is essential in selecting a nylon that meets your particular application needs. Below is a general example of the differences between Nylon 6 and Nylon 6/12.

Nylon 6

Nylon 6/12

Can absorb moisture Very low water absorption
Excellent Strength Good Strength
Very High Stiffness Good Stiffness
Good Chemical Resistance Excellent Chemical Resistance
Very Good Temperature Resistance Good Temperature Resistance
FDA Compliant for food contact available FDA Compliant for food contact available
$$ $$$

What Are Nylon Shapes Used to Make?

Nylon is often chosen to replace bronze, brass, aluminum, or steel parts. As industrial environments look to improve quality and safety, many have replaced metal parts with nylon in order to reduce noise. Nylon also weighs approximately 1/8 an equal amount of bronze making the handling of large parts easier. It’s ability to withstand wear and to be self-lubricating can also reduce maintenance and replacement downtimes. Pair these features with nylon’s resistance to wear and nylon materials with properties that are enhanced with fillers or lubricants and you can have a powerful reason to look at changing from traditional metals to nylon parts.

Nylon is easily machined using the same tools used to machine metal parts. Nylon shapes are also available in a wide range of sizes, and some manufacturers will provide customized nylon materials in specific colors and sizes.

The food processing industry benefits from FDA compliant versions of nylon that are blue in color which aids in detecting plastic particles. This is helping to reduce food contamination and food recalls.

  • Bearings
  • Gears
  • Electrical Connectors
  • Guides
  • Wear Pads
  • Wheels
  • Sheaves
Common Trade Names for Nylon Shapes
  • Cast Nylons Limited
    • NYCAST®
    • NYLOIL®
  • Ensinger
    • Hydlar® Z
    • TECAMID®
    • TECAST®
  • Rochling Engineering Plastics
    • SUSTAMID®
    • SUSTAGLIDE®
  • Quadrant Plastics
    • NYLATRON®

Among these trade names are a number of nylon materials that include MoS2 filled, oil filled, and more. Each nylon material is available in sheet, rod or tube in many sizes and colors. The fillers will enhance specific properties so you can find a nylon that is a good balance of application performance and cost.

To learn more about nylon shapes we also have more information on our online catalog at onlineplastics.com and we have a handy infographic that looks at another aspect – Cast Nylon vs. Extruded Nylon.

 

We Are thyssenkrupp Engineered Plastics

tkep_website-2

AIN Plastics Changes Name to thyssenkrupp Engineered Plastics

In the fall of 2015, AIN Plastics parent company, thyssenkrupp, introduced a refreshed logo and …engineering. tomorrow. together. On Monday, September 12, 2016, thyssenkrupp Materials NA, AIN Plastics Division changed their company name to thyssenkrupp Engineered Plastics. President, John Shepherd stated, “We are excited about the new name as it more clearly identifies our business, our products and the valuable services we offer to our customers, as well as our place within the global industrial company, thyssenkrupp.”

The new thyssenkrupp logo and claim announced in October 2015 reflects thyssenkrupp’s brand strategy to unify its global businesses, while continuing to recognize unique business focuses and industries, like engineered plastics.  As a leading supplier of engineered plastic materials and fabrication services for machinable plastics, the change from AIN Plastics to thyssenkrupp Engineered Plastics solidifies the company’s position in this dynamic and ever-changing industry.  AIN Plastics has been the plastics division of tkMNA since 1996. While many people know the business as AIN Plastics from their long and proud history as a plastics distribution company that began in New York with the team of Alex, Irving and Norman, people have also come to know the company as a part of the thyssenkrupp group. With the recent global branding change, the timing is perfect for AIN Plastics to make the change to thyssenkrupp Engineered Plastics.

Simplicity is key

The change to thyssenkrupp Engineered Plastics not only simplifies the name, it also clarifies who we are as a company and a team. Not only has thyssenkrupp Engineered Plastics been a leading distributor of engineered plastic shapes for many decades, they are a team comprised of professionals that, combined, bring many decades of plastics machining, purchasing, and engineering knowledge to the table. Of course, you can go to a website and buy a piece of plastic with the push of a couple of buttons. But, where can you go when you need to really research and choose the right plastic for a particular application, or to figure out why a part isn’t machining the way you think it should, or to find that plastic that an engineer has specified? That is when a solution provider like thyssenkrupp Engineered Plastics becomes a partner assisting you at every level of the material selection process.

Here To Provide You With Engineered Plastics Solutions

Our Business Development team, comprised of a group that encompasses decades of plastics industry experience, is always on the road seeking out new and better ways to use engineered plastic shapes. Paul Hanson is diligently working with DuPont and our DuPont Vespel® customers, Trevor Drake with Power Distribution businesses, Kendall Montague is focusing on Oil and Gas applications, Thomas Price is working throughout the transportation sector, Dave Piperi in Medical Device and related areas and Scott Moore in Orthotics and Prosthetics. Our Outside and Inside Sales teams are always on hand for you as well. To further assist customers in their search for plastics information and materials research thyssenkrupp Engineered Plastics also has a catalog website www.onlineplastics.com. This site contains products as well as information on applications and more and makes requests for quotes an easy process.

As you can see, if you know these people, the names have not and will not be changing. That’s because the company is changing in name only. We look forward to continuing to work with all of you, just as we have. If you haven’t talked with us in a while or you are not familiar with us, we hope you will be contacting us soon.

 

To stay up on everything from news about the plastics industry, plastics applications, and our company join us on your favorite social media.

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Interns Go To Chicago Regional Headquarters

The view from the top at thyssenkrupp Regional Headquarters in Chicago

The view from the top at thyssenkrupp Regional Headquarters in Chicago

AIN Plastics’ interns got the incredible opportunity to visit Chicago and tour the Regional Headquarters for thyssenkrupp. We began our day at Regional HQ with a tour and meeting a number of thyssenkrupp executives. The executives introduced themselves to us and we learned a lot about how they got to where they are today. Almost every executive told us how they started their careers out of school in one direction, but slowly over time shifted to another direction. Each of them laughed when they said they weren’t entirely doing what they had studied in college. As interns we found this inspirational since our careers are just beginning in a year or less, and we have no idea what the future holds quite yet.

Matt Schaubroeck presented on who thyssenkrupp is and how each division plays a role in this huge company. He communicated how all of the divisions come together to make up thyssenkrupp and the ways they can work together when selling their products in the form of cross-selling.

Will McFarland, AIN Plastics Supply Chain Intern, sat near Pete Murphy of thyssenkrupp Regional Headquarters during both the meeting and lunch. Will thoroughly enjoyed getting the chance to talk with Pete. Will said Pete was funny and full of great stories, but what stood out to him most was what Pete told him: “Tell everyone your ambitions.” Will was impressed with this statement and was appreciative of the great advice.

Meanwhile I had the opportunity to discuss the rebranding process and just how complicated it can be with Jonathan Evans. He explained how difficult it is to unite thyssenkrupp’s divisions under one brand when the divisions were originally their own companies with their own identities. To combine so many divisions under one corporation takes a lot of time, patience, organization, and planning. Jonathan’s team is working on that this very minute but says, even with lots of hard work, things take longer because of the shear size of thyssenkrupp.

AIN Plastics and new Inside Sales Representative Aaron enjoy a little time in downtown Chicago

AIN Plastics and new Inside Sales Representative Aaron enjoy a little time in downtown Chicago

Kevin Backus told us about his position as General Counsel for tkNA. Our finance intern, Kelsey Duggan, sat next to him at lunch and was surprised by all of the variables Kevin’s job consists of. She learned that as General Counsel of an international company he has to remember the different employment laws and ethics for each country that he is working with. She was fascinated with how much his job varies as General Counsel.

Our newest Inside Sales Representative, Aaron DeGiulio, was also able to join the interns for the trip to RHQ. He was interested in the conversation regarding the rebranding that I had mentioned earlier and he used that to pose a question himself. He asked the executive team how the rebranding could help

the company grow and develop from a sales standpoint, and Nihar Satapathy was happy to respond. Nihar responded by saying there is tremendous opportunity and it can be executed if the right amounts of communication happen within the different divisions. He also said that the rebranding will allow the customer to see a consistent company line and will allow them the ease and comfort to use more of our materials.

After a hard day at RHQ the AIN team headed out to the ballpark to take in a game.

After a hard day at RHQ the AIN team headed out to the ballpark to take in a game.

We were all extremely grateful for such an eye-opening trip to thyssenkrupp’s RHQ. We learned a lot about the various roles it takes to organize and run such a large company with so many different kinds of divisions. We thoroughly enjoyed our chance to see RHQ and we hope it isn’t our last!

Alyssa Warner

Marketing Department Intern
thyssenkrupp Materials NA
AIN Plastics Division

DSC_0138About Alyssa Warner

Alyssa Warner will be a senior at Judson University this fall. She is studying Graphic Design and has completed three internships in her field of study. Alyssa has interned at Kensington Church, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and thyssenkrupp Materials NA AIN Plastics Division.

Learn more about AIN Plastics and the family of thyssenkrupp Materials North America on our website. www.ainplastics.com

For a catalog of the engineered plastics and other products we sell please visit onlineplastics.com or join us on social media for the latest in plastics news and more.

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AIN Plastics Tampa Takes Part in Habitat for Humanity

Everyone at AIN Plastics prides themselves on being hard workers. We are up early, out on the road, in the office, wherever we need to be to do our part in keeping shelves stocked and getting engineered plastics delivered to our customers. But, something we also enjoy doing is taking time outside of work to get together not only the team, but their family and friends. As a team we also enjoy participating in events and volunteering time in our communities. Recently AIN Plastics Tampa signed on for a day at a Habitat for Humanity Project.

Stuart Gornall, Branch Manager for AIN Tampa shared with us what it’s like to do a day on a Habitat for Humanity project.

Stuart said, much like a weekday morning at AIN, the team arrived at 7:00am Saturday morning for a safety meeting.  After the meeting everyone was put to work doing different tasks that were to be accomplished that day.  On this day the AIN team was put in charge of painting and installing doors throughout the house.  Outside Sale Representative, Dick Cubero, Stephanie (Dick’s daughter), Steven Sheridan (Tampa’s newest addition to the Inside Sales team), and Amanda (Steven’s girlfriend) were assigned to painting.  In the meantime Stuart Gornall, Vince LaLima (Inside Sales), and Pablo (Fulfillment) were assigned to installing all the doors throughout the home.  Stuart noted that “Dominique, the woman who will actually be getting the home was right next to us painting the entire time too.  It was really great for the whole team to meet the person we donated our time to.”

Around 11:30 Stuart’s wife Erin brought sandwiches and the team took some time to discuss what they learned in the first half of the day before heading back to painting and hanging the remainder of the doors. Stuart explained that Habitat for Humanity schedules work time for each day from 7:00 am -1:30 pm because of the heat…so after lunch the team had enough time to finish up and head to some air conditioning to cool off. Stuart said, “As you can see from the pictures we had our work cut out for us because it was very hot out.”

The home will be finished and dedicated on July 11th at 9:00 am and Stuart says a few of the team are going to leave the office for a couple hours on Monday morning to attend the dedication ceremony of the home in Clearwater, Florida.  In addition to the team from AIN Plastics, local businesses that donated to fund the home, the mayor of Clearwater, other representatives from the state of Florida, and many staff and volunteers will be there in attendance to see Dominique receive her keys.

Stuart wanted his team to be able to take part in the whole experience. He noted, “since everyone got a chance to meet and work alongside Dominique, it would be nice to see the full circle of the project and the moment when she gets the keys to her home.

All and all, great experience and everyone is already talking about the next home build we will be a part of.”

Thanks to Stuart and the AIN Plastics Tampa team for sharing their time and their story and the photos of their day. If you’d like to learn more about Habitat for Humanity check out their site.

See you in the blogosphere again soon

Lisa Anderson

Marketing Manager
ThyssenKrupp Materials, NA
AIN Plastics Division


lisa_anderson_001CroppedAbout Lisa Anderson

Ms. Anderson has been ThyssenKrupp Materials AIN Plastics Division for over 4 years. She brings 20+ years of advertising, award winning graphic design, social media and marketing. She has worked in book publishing, advertising agencies, printing, manufacturing, and the apartment industry. Ms. Anderson has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Arts from Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI.

AIN Plastics O&P Team Golfing for Charity

Hanger Charity Golf Challenge 2016 004thyssenkrupp Materials AIN Plastics Division has a team that is dedicated to the business of providing engineered plastic solutions for their customers. But the team also enjoys taking part in events in their communities, from tkactive 5K walks and bike rides, to collecting shoes for Soles for Souls the team at AIN is always looking for, and finding, fun ways to be involved in their local communities and to help others.

On Thursday, April 21, 2016, Dick Cubero (AIN Plastics Florida Branch) and Scott Moore (AIN Plastics Industry Segment Manager for Orthotics and Prosthetics) enjoyed a day on the golf course as participants in the 13th Annual Hanger Clinic Golf Challenge held at the Kissimmee Bay Country Club in Kissimmee, Florida. To learn more about Hanger Clinics visit them online.

This annual charity golf event supports Our Children’s Rehab Center, Inc. located in Winter Haven Florida.

The Winter Haven Children’s Rehab Center is dedicated to facilitating each child’s maximum independence and communicative abilities by a team that includes a Speech Language Pathologist, and Occupational and Physical Therapist who use innovative interventions when working with newborns, infants, toddlers and children through 21 years of age.

Hanger Charity Golf Challenge 2016 003Last year’s Annual Hanger Golf Outing, in which AIN Plastics also participated and sponsored, raised an incredible $8,500 for the rehab center.  Donations and sponsorship dollars from the annual golf outing have provided funds for a variety of programs and projects throughout the years.

• Therapeutic Gym
• The creation of a Sensory Garden
• New school bus with wheelchair lift
• Adapted horse tack for therapeutic riding
• The purchase of a prone stander to allow children in a wheelchair to be upright

Moore said, “I am truly proud to work for a company that is not only dedicated to the Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics industries but a company that cares and gives back to the local communities.”

FYI – If you would like to learn more about AIN Plastics O&P Program please join us online:

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AIN Plastics for Orthotics and Prosthetics

O&P Corner on the AIN Plastics Blog. Here you’ll find videos and downloads of our literature.

See in the blogosphere again soon!

lisa_anderson_001CroppedAbout Lisa Anderson
Ms. Anderson has been ThyssenKrupp Materials AIN Plastics Division for over 4 years. She brings 20+ years of advertising, award winning graphic design, social media and marketing. She has worked in book publishing, advertising agencies, printing, manufacturing, and the apartment industry. Ms. Anderson has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Arts from Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI.

AIN Plastics Working with the Future

Students at the University of Toledo come away with a lot of knowledge and skills when they graduate. This premier University offers many challenging courses that prepare students for careers in their field of their choice as well as a number of extracurricular programs and groups to aid in students success. John Shepherd, President of AIN Plastics and a UT alum was recently asked to be a part of the educational opportunities provided through the APICS group.

APICS is a group focused on learning the ins and outs of everything in Supply Chain Management. APICS has regular meetings in which students have workshops on things important to their future career in supply chain management. Things they might not see in the classroom, like how to build a resume, networking and what types of jobs are available for people in supply chain management now and in the future.

As part of this, John Shepherd, presented to students some real world experiences of how thyssenKrupp Materials NA utilizes supply chain management in their daily operations, planning and long-term goals. Students got to learn about the engineering plastics that the AIN Plastics Division supplies as well as a look what other thyssenkrupp divisions do. Mr. Shepherd also took a number of questions and enjoyed lively discussions with all attendees. All attendees were also invited to take part in a LinkedIn photo shoot provided by the AIN Plastics Marketing Department. Students were able to walk out with a professional photo to add to their LinkedIn profile, resume etc.

As a company thyssenKrupp Materials NA values the knowledge and fresh ideas that students and recent graduates bring to business. To assist students further with their learning opportunities thyssenkrupp MAterials NA provides a robust Intership program as well as a Sales Talent Development Program. “Reaching out to students is a way to work with the future of business, and letting students know what opportunities are available is a win for everyone,” noted Mr. Shepherd. AIN Plastics has been actively involved in providing Internships, and they have two recent graduates of the Sales Talent Development Program. Becca Reidy and Louis Szilagyi are both full-time Inside Sales Representatives for AIN Plastics Dallas Branch after finishing their time with the Program earlier this year. AIN Plastics also take part in outreach including job fairs and events like the APICS meetings on a regular basis. As an alumni John Shepherd has taken part in a number of University of Toldeo events including Job Fairs and the APICS meetings.

 

To learn more about APICS at Univerity of Toledo they can be reached by email directly at ut.student.apics@gmail.com

or on their website at http://www.apics.org

To learn more about thyssenKrupp Materials NA and the AIN Plastics Division stay tuned to this blog and visit us on social media.

 

 

 

The Many Uses of UHMW PE

As an Engineering Plastic material UHMW PE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) has many uses in industries as varied as food processing, waste water treatment, heavy equipment, and conveyor lines, just to name a few. To help illustrate UHMW PE’s broad usefulness in manufacturing we have compiled a photo album of UHMW PE in action. In these photos you can see how UHMW has been immersed in wet environments like waste water clarification tanks for up to a year at a time as well as conveyor lines where it is used in numerous applications and exposed to harsh cleaning chemicals and frequent wash downs.

The Many Uses of UHMW PE

UHMW is noted for having a very low coefficient of friction. In other words, UHMW sheet, rod, and tube are all very slippery and that slipperiness has turned out to be very useful in a number of applications. In addition, unlike nylon, another common Engineering Plastic material, UHMW PE has a very low moisture absorption and a good ability to withstand a wide variety of chemicals making it a good option for wet environments and applications that need regular harsh cleaning, like food processing facilities. Also on that point is that UHMW PE is both FDA and USDA compliant which adds to it’s popularity in the food processing industry.

What Customers Are Saying About UHMW PE

The results are in and time and time again we are hearing UHMW PE has gone above and beyond customer expectations. Customers who have shifted to using UHMW PE from other materials where appropriate, have enjoyed good results that include

Increasing the speed of their conveyor lines.
Less breakage of glass containers on bottling lines, even with increased speeds.
Chute liners improve the movement of dry items, like crackers and cereals to flow without the buildi-up of static electricity.
Chute liners in wet environments help to keep material moving and keep augers from binding up which reduces downtime
Quality and Workplace Safety Engineers are turning to UHMW PE parts to reduce noise
Reduction in energy costs! Less friction means less energy is needed

Just a few of the most common uses are

  • Food Processing (bearings and gears, chute liners, wear strips)
  • Material Handling and Packaging (anti-static chute liners, wear strips, bearings and gears)
  • Conveyor Systems (wear strips, gears, chain guides)
  • Marine (covers, doors, fixtures, handles)
  • Waste Water Treatment Facilities (wear strips, paddles, bearings, scraper blades, chute liners)

 

See you in the blogosphere again soon!

Lisa Anderson

Marketing Manager
ThyssenKrupp Materials, NA
AIN Plastics Division

 

_N1C1196-Edit-cropAbout Lisa Anderson
Ms. Anderson has been ThyssenKrupp Materials AIN Plastics Division for over 2 years. She brings 20+ years of advertising, award winning graphic design, social media and marketing. She has worked in book publishing, advertising agencies, printing, manufacturing, and the apartment industry. Ms. Anderson has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Arts from Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI.

For more on UHMW visit our website.